Block Grant Summary: Community Mental Health Services

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the State of Montana Department of Health and Human Services $1,112,963.00 under the Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services program (CFDA 93.958) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This two-year block grant supports comprehensive community-based mental health services targeting adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances across Montana. The funding enables the state to develop and maintain integrated service networks through its designated state agency structure, with Helena, Montana serving as the primary place of performance.

Under this award, Montana delivers evidence-based community mental health services including outpatient counseling, crisis intervention, case management, peer support, and workforce training initiatives. The state utilizes its established infrastructure to sub-award portions of grant funding to local health departments, tribal organizations, nonprofit entities, and community mental health providers to implement programs at the community level. Up to five percent of grant funds may be used for administrative purposes, while state law requires maintaining a minimum service expenditure level and dedicating ten percent of the allocation toward programs targeting early serious mental illness. Services are provided exclusively through qualified public and nonprofit community programs, with strict prohibitions on funding inpatient services, cash assistance to beneficiaries, or facility construction.